---
title: Virtual Color
description: Create color placeholders for better theming and customization.
---

## Overview

Chakra allows you to create a virtual color or color placeholder in your
project. The `colorPalette` property is how you create virtual color.

```js
<Box
  colorPalette="blue"
  bg={{ base: "colorPalette.100", _hover: "colorPalette.200" }}
>
  Hello World
</Box>
```

This will translate to the `blue.100` background color and `blue.200` background
color on hover.

## Usage

The fundamental requirement for virtual colors is that your colors must have a
consistent naming convention. By default, Chakra use `50-950` color values for
each color we provide.

This makes it easier for you to create and use virtual colors. Let's say we need
to create a themable outline button from scratch.

```jsx
<chakra.button
  borderWidth="1px"
  colorPalette="red"
  borderColor="colorPalette.500"
  _hover={{
    borderColor: "colorPalette.600",
  }}
>
  Click me
</chakra.button>
```

### Recipes

Virtual colors are most useful when used with recipes.

```js
const buttonRecipe = defineRecipe({
  base: {
    display: "flex",
    alignItems: "center",
    justifyContent: "center",
    // set the color palette
    colorPalette: "blue",
  },
  variants: {
    variant: {
      primary: {
        bg: "colorPalette.500",
        color: "white",
      },
      outline: {
        borderWidth: "1px",
        borderColor: "colorPalette.500",
        _hover: {
          borderColor: "colorPalette.600",
        },
      },
    },
  },
})
```

### Components

Most built-in components in Chakra support virtual colors.

```jsx
<Button colorPalette="blue">Click me</Button>
<Button colorPalette="red" variant="outline">
  Click me
</Button>
```

### Dark mode

Another amazing thing you can do with virtual colors is to use them with dark
mode.

```jsx
<Box
  colorPalette="blue"
  bg={{ base: "colorPalette.600", _dark: "colorPalette.400" }}
>
  Hello World
</Box>
```

> This element will have a `blue.600` background color in light mode and a
> `blue.400` background color in dark mode.
